Sound

oral histories

interviews

College

William Randolph "Cozy" Cole (1909 – 1981) was an American jazz drummer. His first music job was with Wilbur Sweatman in 1928. In 1930 he played for Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers, recording an early drum solo on "Load of Cole". He spent 1931–33 with Blanche Calloway, 1933-34 with Benny Carter, 1935-36 with Willie Bryant, 1936-38 with Stuff Smith's small combo, and 1938-42 with Cab Calloway. In 1942, he was hired by CBS Radio music director Raymond Scott as part of network radio's first mixed-race orchestra. After that he played with Louis Armstrong's All Stars. Cole appeared in music-related films, including a brief cameo in Don't Knock the Rock and in 1941 he authored Modern Orchestra Drum Technique (New York, 1941). In 1954 he started a drums school with Gene Krupa and in 1958 gained Hit Parade success with his single “Topsy.” Throughout the 1960s and '70s Cole continued to tour with a variety of ensembles including Benny Carter’s quartet, and Jonah Jones’ quintet.

Page numbers here indicate page numbers for "Read Online" interface. Page numbers listed on transcripts may differ.

Tape 1 Side 1 Part 1...pp. 1-42
Tape 1 Side 1 Part 2...pp. 42-59
Tape 1 Side 2 Part 1...pp. 59-94
Tape 1 Side 2 Part 2...pp. 94-111
Tape 2 Side 1 Part 1...pp. 112-145
Tape 2 Side 1 Part 2...pp. 145-160
Tape 2 Side 2 Part 1...pp. 160-200
Tape 2 Side 2 Part 2...pp. 200-217

doi:10.7282/T3Z322GP

The Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) promote the use of its collections, and strives to protect the integrity of its materials. We offer digital reproductions of IJS materials subject to U.S. copyright law and other legal obligations.

NOTICE OF WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, US Code) governs the reproduction of copyrighted material.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not “to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

Materials viewed by patrons online or supplied to patrons online are reference copies. Our supply of copies does not constitute copyright permission for further uses and is not an authorization for any further uses involving reproduction, distribution, display, performance, or creation of derivative works, including their use in publications and web sites. It’s the patron’s responsibility to obtain permissions that may be required to use works for purposes other than private study, scholarship, or research, or in excess of fair use.